The NHS has just saved my life

The NHS just saved my life. With no prior symptoms, On 18 December I suffered a minor heart attack. Three hospitals, three ambulance transfers, upwards of 50 dedicated professionals and nine days later I had a world-class triple bypass to remedy a previously undetected life-threatening condition. I was kept informed throughout of what was happening and why, with clarity and sensitivity. At all times I was treated with unfailing care and concern – as a patient and a person. When I thanked one of the surgeons, he smiled and said it was a team effort, and that the contribution of nursing and support staff was an equally important part of the process. I witnessed a level of teamwork, personal commitment, discipline and professionalism by staff at all levels that I never encountered in 20 years in industry.

In most countries I would be dead, bankrupt or dangerously risking a major heart-damaging second attack while I waited for surgery. Nightmares like Mid Staffs (Editorial, 6 March) are not caused by anything arising from within the value-structure of medicine or the NHS. They are caused by the simplistic misapplication of long-discredited business techniques by politicians and civil servants who have never run anything except a doubtful argument. The corporate vultures are circling the NHS, scenting red-blooded profit. Our naive politicians are easy prey for the snake-oil salesmen. Hospitals are not businesses. Patients are not customers. But my albeit anecdotal, experience shows that the NHS already has a level of disciplined, rigorous, empathic delivery of a life and death service that would be the envy of any private enterprise. Politicians should listen to the professionals who have dedicated their lives to the values of the NHS. Then shut up and find the money to save it. Keith FarmanSt Albans, Hertfordshire